EXTINCTION OF VIDYÁDHARA (CONTINUED).
Argument:—Entrancement of the Vidyádhara at the end of the
Discourse in favour of Non-egoism.
Bhusunda continued:—As I was lecturing in this manner, the chief of the
vidyádharas became dull in the consciousness (_i.e._ unconscious of
himself), and fell into the trance of _samádhi_—_anaesthesia_.
2. And notwithstanding my repeated attempts, to awaken him from that
state (of insensibility); he did not open his eyes to the sight lying
before him, but was wholly absorbed in his nirvána-extinction.
3. He attained the supreme and ultimate state, and became enlightened in
his soul (by what I had instructed him); and made no other further
attempt to know what he sought. (The attempts to know God, besides
_sravana_ or attending to the lectures of the guru, are reflection,
meditation _etc._).
4. (Here Vasishtha said to Ráma:) It is therefore, Ráma, that I related
this narrative to exemplify the effect of instruction in pure hearts,
where it floats like a drop of oil on the surface of water (_i.e._ where
it does not sink down nor is lost).
5. This instruction consists in forgetting the existence of the _ego_ in
the Supreme spirit, this is the best advice and there is no other like
this; and this is calculated to give peace and comfort to your soul.
6. But when this advice falls in the soil of evil minds, it is choked up
and lost in the end; as the purest pearl falls from the surface of a
smooth mirror (or piece of glass).
7. But good advice sticks fast in the calm minds of the virtuous, and it
enters into their reasoning souls; as the sunlight enters and shines in
the sunstone.
8. Egoism is verily the seed of all worldly misery, as the seed of the
thorny _simul_ tree grows only prickles on earth; so is meity or the
thought that this is mine, the out stretching branch of this tree.
9. First the seed _ego_, and then its branch of meity or mineness,
produce the endless leaves of our desires; and their sense of
selfishness, is productive of the burthensome fruits of our woe and
misery.
10. Then the vidyádhara said; I understand, O chief of sages, that it is
in this manner, that dull people also become long living in this world;
and it is this true knowledge, which is the cause of the great longevity
of yours and other sages.
11. Those who are pure in their hearts and minds, soon attain to their
highest state of fearlessness, after they are once admonished with the
knowledge of truth.
12. Vasishtha said:—The chief of the birds of air, spoke to me in this
manner on the summit of the Sumeru Mountain; and then held his silence
like the mute clouds on the top of Rishyasringa chain. (It is said that
the clouds never roar when they rove over this hill).
13. Having taken leave of the sagely bird, I repaired to the abode of
the Vidyádhara (in order to learn the truth of the story); and then
returned to my place, which was graced by the assemblage of sages.
14. I have thus related to you, O Ráma, the narration of the veteran
bird, and the sedateness which was attained by the Vidyádhara with
little pain and knowledge. It is now the lapse of the long period of
eleven great Yugas, since my said interview with Bhusunda—the veteran
chief of the feathered tribe.